Lake Sunapee Watershed

Water is the driving force of all nature.

— Leonardo da Vinci

LSPA provides advisory services and information on a variety of water protection topics to area lake and pond associations, homeowners, contractors, developers, municipalities, and other interested parties.

All watershed and water quality work is guided by comprehensive plans to best practices in a watershed:

The Sunapee Watershed Management Plan which was generated by the Sunapee Area Watershed Coalition

The Lake Sunapee Long Term Invasive Species Management Plan which was created by LSPA and the NH Department of Environmental Services.

LSPA works with local, state and regional partners including private citizens and businesses, governmental and other public agencies and other non-profit organizations.

Our watershed work ranges from small to large projects including:

Small grant projects that are designed to protect water quality, stream corridors, wetlands and other water resources

Multi-year projects such as the Sunapee Watershed Infrastructure Project, which was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

LSPA’s Watershed Committee works with the watershed municipalities to improve water resource protection ordinances and compliance in the entire watershed. These efforts help to protect all water resources, including drinking water supplies.

NEED ADVICE?

LSPA's watershed steward, Geoff Lizotte may be able to answer some of your questions related to water quality and/or watershed protection. If we don't have an answer for you, we may be able to point you in the right direction. Keep in mind that we are neither legal advisors nor dispute mediators, nor do we have any official capacity. We are strictly advisory. Click here to access LSPA's resource library for brochures that provide information on topics including lanscaping plants, shoreland protection, stormwater, cyanobacteria and de-icing, to name a few.

Ecological Landscaping for water quality protection

The UNH Cooperative Extension periodically provides workshops for landscapers that covers the concepts and practices of ecological design for water quality protection in lakes, rivers, streams and coastal areas. Landscaping at the Water’s Edge workshop curriculum includes design and installation of stormwater management practices suitable for small sites, such as rain gardens and dry wells, as well as drainage and site considerations. For a directory of landscapers who have completed training in ecological landscaping practices for water quality protection please click the button below.